Approval Date:

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT:
The role of the Strategic Planning Department includes:
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management of the XXX City Council Planning Scheme including the development and maintenance of the Local Planning Policy Framework;
Statutory Reviews and amendments
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strategy and policy development, including the preparation of Structure Plans and
Design Frameworks
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develop Policy and Strategy documents for appropriate Town planning; urban design and development outcomes
The XXX City Council has is committed to establishing a Place Manager role to implement the initiatives and recommendations of the XXX City Council Structure Plan and Masterplan, namely the implementation of priority projects listed for 2007-2010.
The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is supporting
Council in its endeavor to implement XXX City Council vision by providing support for the appointment of a Place Manager.
The XXX City Council is proud of its workforce and recognises the strengths this provides in meeting the needs of the community it serves. It is committed to providing a workplace where employees are valued and respected and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.
Council is an equal employment opportunity employer that aims to recruit from a diverse group of applicants to ensure that the best person for the job is employed, and that their suitability for the job is assessed on the basis of ability, skills, experience and standard of work performance in relation to the selection criteria.
The XXX City Council has an Equal Opportunity and Respect in the Workplace policy in place; it also promotes smoke free workplace.
The XXX City Council pursues objectives in the key areas of sustainability, wellbeing, opportunity and prosperity. To maximise the opportunities presented by the community and workforce, employees are required to develop and demonstrate understanding and commitment to working in a tolerant and collaborative manner.
Through consultation with our staff we have developed a vision and set of values that support the cultural direction we aspire to. These are:
Our Vision, My Values
Our Vision:
From good to great, happy to be here, proud to say where we work
My Values
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We encourage, anticipate, welcome and implement
We recognise, support and facilitate
We recognise and celebrate
We recognise potential and support
Cooperation
Achievement
Learning
Change and New Ideas
Approval Date:

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We promote open, honest, inclusive and respectful
We are Accountable
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Communication
for all our decisions and commitments
POSITION: Place Manager
–
CLASSIFICATION: Contract
QUALIFICATION PERIOD: 6 Months
INCUMBENT: New Position
DIVISION:
DEPARTMENT:
Planning and Development
Strategic Planning
ENQUIRIES:
DATE:
POSITION OBJECTIVES:
The Place Manager will be responsible for delivering on XXX City Council and overseeing the work plan for implementation. The Place Manager will work collaboratively with other areas of Council, DPCD and other external stakeholders to facilitate project delivery for a range of development and infrastructure works and to ensure an integrated approach. The position will also be responsible for community and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Advocacy and Entrepreneurship
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Act as an advocate for XXX City Council as well as gain ‘buy in’ from various groups, agencies and individuals who have a role in implementing the program
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Develop and facilitate appropriate mechanisms to deliver the vision.
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Identify and advocate projects and programs consistent with XXX City Council and identify any gaps, duplications and omissions from existing programs and propose new initiatives.
Project Management
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Ensure the implementation of XXX City Council in accordance with the Council’s and State Government’s policies and strategic direction, including the Melbourne
2030 plan and Melbourne @ 5 Million.
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Actively facilitate development and delivery of projects aimed at implementing the objectives of XXX City Council within defined timeframes and budget constraints.
 Identify development sites or potential partnerships, and ‘package sites’ as development parcels. This will include working with owners of strategically important properties in driving the implementation of XXX City Council.
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Identify and facilitate funding investment from Council, State and Federal government and private sector
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Ensure the delivery of commitments to the Creating Better Places Urban
Improvement Grants Program, the XXX City Council Work Program, the annual
Council Plan and Capital Works program.
Project Planning and Administration
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Work collaboratively with Senior Council Officers together with other Council
Units to ensure a shared vision across the organisation and an integrated approach to decision-making and timely implementation of the project.
 Prepare relevant reports to Council and State Government in line with Council’s procedural requirements and commitments to the Creating Better Places Urban
Improvement Grants Program.
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Manage and report on the financial planning and expenditures of the project, including the management of operational and capital costs.
Stakeholder Management and Communications
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Provide and maintain the focus for coordinated Council, State Government, business and community involvement in the implementation of XXX City Council vision.
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Develop networks and foster connections between different stakeholders, including government agencies, private investors/developers, local businesses and local community.
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Work with all internal and external working groups and forums relevant to XXX
City Council vision to ensure a coordinated approach.
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Provide advice and guidance to management and Councillors on XXX City
Council matters.
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Coordinate and support business, government and community engagement in line with best practice engagement principles.
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Where appropriate, align engagement activity with community and stakeholder engagement undertaken by Department of Human Services Place management in the area.
Personnel Management
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Assist with the appointment, work program and outcomes of consultants and
Council staff on the project in project development and delivery.
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Provide appropriate briefings to Council staff in a timely manner to ensure
Council staff are fully informed of the progress of implementation.
Customer Service
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Provide a high standard of clear, accurate and timely technical and general advice to Council, management, stakeholders and clients.
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Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders and key external agencies involved with XXX City Council such as but not limited to Department of Planning and Community Development, Department of Transport, VicRoads, Department
Human Services, local businesses, trader groups and the community.
Other Duties
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Attend and participate in professional development training were necessary and as required.
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Other duties as directed within the skills and abilities of a position at this level
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REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
THIS POSITION REPORTS TO: General Manager Planning and
Development and Manager
Strategic Planning
POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION:
INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Nil
CEO, Councillors
Managers and Coordinators of other Departments
Council staff from all other Departments
EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS: Ratepayers, general public,
Service Authorities, Government
Departments, Contractors, legal representatives, Consultants,
Architects, Urban Designers,
Surveyors, VCAT, Panels
Victoria, Liquor Licensing
Commission, Heritage Advisors,
Private Investors, Developers,
Community groups, other municipalities and other relevant
Stakeholders
ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:
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This position is primarily responsible for coordinating and managing the implementation of the XXX City Council Structure Plan.
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This position will receive advice from, and facilitate the meeting of the Steering
Committee &/or Program Executive Team which is established to provide advice to the Place Manager and to assist in the implementation of the Plan.
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This position has the role of representing the interests of XXX City Council community, government and the business sector. This includes provision of professional advice to Council and development proponents on major development proposals.
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This position will involve assisting with the management of external consultants.
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The freedom to act is limited by standards and procedures relevant to the tasks to be undertaken within this position. While some aspects of the work must be undertaken within specific processes, as set down in legislation and generally fall within specific guidelines, wide scope exists to exercise initiative in the positive application of established standards and procedures and to identify innovative new ways to achieve better outcomes.
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The Officer will be required to oversee programs, facilitate delivery of projects and undertake tasks in accordance with budget allocations.
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Broad authority in accordance with the instructions and delegation from the
Manager.
JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING:
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To research and develop comprehensive strategic policies, guidelines and projects based on theory, precedent or professional judgment regarding the best methods, procedures and /or processes for the development and implementation of strategic plans.
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The incumbent will need to respond to inquiries from the public and staff, use a variety of databases and retrieve required information and be able to prioritise their work and decide which is the most important task amongst several competing, and often complex tasks.
SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
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Ability to act as an advocate for Council and State policy objectives.
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Thorough knowledge and understanding of property development, commercial sector imperatives and the outcomes sought by Council in the XXX City Council
Structure Plan.
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Thorough knowledge of the XXX City Council Structure Plan.
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Demonstrated project management experience, particularly delivering complex projects and experience in managing consultants.
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Well developed negotiation skills and ability to form enduring partnerships
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Strong analytical, conceptual and problem solving skills including an ability to analyse, comprehend research data and prepare concise reports and make recommendations
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An ability to facilitate and manage change.
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Sound understanding of the concept of customer service focus, along with customer service skills.
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Knowledge of how a strategic planning approach contributes towards both the corporate and statutory planning processes.
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Possess a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Planning
System.
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Ability to work across the corporate levels of the Council, State Government and other stakeholders.
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An understanding of urban design principles and ecologically sustainable development principles and associated land use patterns and future demands that will impact on planning activities within the Municipality and the ability to use initiative to identify opportunities to enhance these principles.
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A thorough understanding of Melbourne Metropolitan Strategy 2030/ Melbourne
@ 5 Million and the implications for the XXX City Council.
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Familiarity and experience with public consultation processes.
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Sound word processing skills using Microsoft Word and experience in the use of databases (Lotus Notes, Microsoft Access, Excel and Power Point) including
Geographic Information Systems.
MANAGEMENT SKILLS:
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Ability to plan, organise, set priorities and manage time, so that organisational resources are optimised and objectives are achieved within a timetable.
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The ability to scope, brief, design a work program, then select and project manage a team of consultants.
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The ability to be pro-active and show initiative.
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Strong communication skills including the ability to advocate on behalf of the XXX
City Council.
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The ability and willingness to work individually or as part of an established team.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
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The ability to gain co-operation, trust and assistance from the business community and general public, Government Departments and other Service Units and Departments within the XXX City Council.
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Advanced written and verbal communication skills required for report and letter writing, telephone and counter enquiries.
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Effective communication and problem solving skills to produce cooperative outcomes within a team environment.
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Ability to engage, influence and build rapport with different stakeholder groups and general community
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Ability to work as an individual or as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
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The position requires a high level of self motivation to complete complex, broad tasks and projects within agreed limitations.
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The ability to contribute to the development of a pro-active visionary work culture in the organisation.
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The ability to create networks within professional and client communities.
RISK MANAGEMENT:
The XXX City Council Risk Management policy commits Council to protect the community of XXX City Council
, Council’s employees and its contractors from loss arising from Council’s activities and services through the application of appropriate risk management principles and practices. Successful risk management will only be achieved with the active participation of all employees.
INHERENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:
REPETITIVE OR SUSTAINED FORCES
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This position requires sitting and working with a computer for an extended period of time.
QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
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High level of relevant experience in either Planning, Property Management,
Economic Development or a related field.
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A tertiary qualification in Planning, Property Management, Commerce or Planning related discipline.
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A minimum of 5 years professional experience in a relevant discipline is desirable.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills and highly developed interpersonal skills.
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Direct experience with the preparation of Activity Centre Structure Plans is desirable
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A current Victori an driver’s licence.
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SALARY & CONDITIONS:
Salary
Salary will be in accordance with Senior Executive Officer of the Victorian Local
Authorities Award 2001 and the XXX City Council Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
Superannuation
The provisions of the Local Authorities Superannuation Act shall apply.
Leave
All leave will be taken in accordance with the Award and Council Policy.
Other Conditions
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Appointee whilst on duty will not be able to engage in any trade, profession or business that would create a conflict of interest in carrying out the duties of the position or carrying out private work during normal business hours. Section 95 of the Local Government Act requires a member of Council staff to:
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Act impartially;
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Act with integrity including avoiding real or apparent conflicts of interest;
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Accept accountability for results;
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Provide responsive service.
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Agreement to abide by all requirements of Council's Occupational Health and
Safety policies and procedures.
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Termination of employment is as provided in the Award.
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Under the terms and conditions of the Federal Workplace Relations Amendment
(Termination of Employment) Act 2000 all positions are subject to a period of six months mandatory probation.
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Agreement to always act in accordance with the Council's Privacy Policy which covers the collection, use and disclosure, of personal and health information.
HOURS OF DUTY:
Standard hours of duty in accordance with Council Policy and the Victorian Local
Authorities Award 2001 and the XXX City Council Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
CANVASSING OF COUNCILLORS AND COUNCIL OFFICERS:
Canvassing of Councillors and Council Officers, either indirectly or directly that may influence the outcomes of this application may be deemed a disqualification.
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APPLICATIONS:
Applications close on XXX
Applications will be kept strictly confidential and should be addressed to -
**Please quote the Position Number on your application
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